Rotary drawing,ironing and doming press for partially extruded can bodies



y 27, 1969 R. H. D. ARMBRUSTER ET AL 57 ROTARY DRAWING, IRONING AND DOMING PRESS FOR PARTIALLY EX'I'RUDED CAN BODIES Sheet Filed Aug. 26. 1966 FIG.|

INVENTORS. D. ARMBRUSTER 8 HUBERT RONALD H. JOSEPH B Mega, 7M 8 80;

ATTO R N EYS May 27, 1969 H, ARMBRUSTER ET AL 3,446,167

ROTARY DRAWING, IRONING AND DOMING PRESS FOR PARTIALLY EXTRUDED CAN BODIES Filed Aug. 26. 1966 Sheet FIG. 2

INVENTORS. D. ARMBRUSTER 8 JOSEPH B. HUBERT RONALD H.

Maya, 7114mm; 8 Body ATTORNEYS May 27, 1969 R. Hi-o. ARMBRUSTER ET AL 3,446,167

ROTARY DRAWING, IRONING AND DOMING PRESS FOR PARTIALLY EXTRUDED CAN BODIES Filed Aug. 26. 1966 Sheet 3 of 7 Fl G. 3

I NVEN'TORS RONALD H. D. ARMBRUSTER8 JOSEPH B. HUBERT Mew/z, 744m, 8 Bad,

ATTORNEYS May 27, 1969 R. H. D. ARMBRUSTER ET AL 3,446,167 ROTARY DRAWING, IRONING AND DOMING PRESS FOR PARTIALLY EXTRUDED CAN BODIES Filed Aug. 26, 1966 Sheet 4 of? c use 2|4 ZIB FIG. 4

I NVE NTORS RONALD H. D. ARMBRUSTER 8 JOSEKPH B. HUBERT B MW, 72-14%, am,

ATTORNEYS May 27, 1969 R, ARMBRUSTER ET AL 3,446,167

ROTARY DRAWING, IRONING AND DOMING PRESS FOR PARTIALLY EXTRUDED CAN BODIES Filed Aug. 26. 1966 Sheet 5 of 7 FIG. 5

I NVENTORS. RONALD H. D. ARMBRUSTER 8| JOSBPH B. HUBERT Mega, 116m; 8 Bad;

ATTORNEYS May 27, 1969 R. H. D. ARMBRUSTER ET AL 3,446,167 ROTARY DRAWING, IRONING AND DOMING PRESS FOR PARTIALLY BXTRUDED CAN BODIES Filed Aug. 26. 1966 Sheet 7 of 7 INVENTORS. RONALD H. D. ARMBRUSTER BYJOSEPH B. HUBERT Mew, 7416mm; 6? 80d;

ATTORNEYS United States Patent s 446 167 ROTARY DRAWING, IRONING AND DOMING PRESS FOR PARTIALLY EXTRUDED CAN US. Cl. 113-7 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for forming can bodies from cup-shaped blanks. The disclosed apparatus comprises a vertically extending frame on which is mounted a rotatable turret carrying a plurality of circumferentially positioned, vertically extending rams which are reciprocated vertically relative to the turret during turret rotation. A plurality of extruding orifices are carried by the turret in aligned relationship with the rams. Additionally, end shaping abutments are carried by the turret subjacent to the rams so that after the rams have moved a cup-shaped blank through the extruding orifice thereby forming a can, the lower end of the can is shaped by the end shaping abutment. Feed of blanks between the rams and the extruding orifices is accomplished by a rotatably mounted star wheel feed mechanism positioned adjacent the turret and rotatable therewith. Discharge is accomplished by a similarly arranged star wheel positioned between the end shaping abutment and the extruding orifice.

The present invention is directed to the art of can making machinery and more particularly to an improved forming press for forming aluminum can bodies.

The invention is particularly applicable for forming cans from partially extruded aluminum cups, and it will be described with particular reference thereto; however, it is appreicated the invention is capable of broader application and could be used to perform a variety of forming operations on many diverse materials.

In the can making art it has become relatively common to make can bodies by extruding and drawing processes, Generally these processes begin with a flat, relatively thin, circular piece of aluminum stock. The piece of stock is first passed through an impact extrusion press or a deep drawing press where it is formed into a relatively shallow cup-like member. This cup-like member is then passed through a redrawing or ironing press which draws the vertical wall sections of the member and elongates them into a can body having relatively thin wall sections. At this point in the processes the cans have the proper crosssectional shape and size but do not have the proper bottom wall configuration. For this reason the can is transferred to a doming press which domes in the bottom wall of the can body to give it the desired configuration. The open end of the can is subsequently trimmed to reduce the can to its final height.

These general methods produce satisfactory aluminum can bodies; however, they do have at least one disadvantage. As can be seen, a plurality of separate machines is required to form the can, namely an impact extrusion or deep drawing press, a redrawing or ironing press, and a doming press. As a consequence, the production or assembly line for manufacturing extruded or drawn cans is quite long. Further, because of the several machines required, the probability of break-down on the assembly line is relatively high. Also, when a large number of machines are used, the work handling problems become burdensome, since it is necessary to provide separate feed and work handling or transfer mechanisms to carry the can body between each of the machines.

The present invention substantially reduces these disadvantages of the prior art can making apparatus by providing a single machine for performing the functions of the separate ironing and doming machines previously used. The invention relates to an apparatus which takes the extruded cup member produced by the impact extrusion press and, in one continuous uniform operation, irons and domes it to produce the final can body,

In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus is provided which includes a rotating turret carrying a plurality of vertically reciprocating ram members. Also carried by the turret are a plurality of ironing orifices, with one provided for each of the ram members. Mounted below each ironing orifice and axially aligned with the corresponding ram member is a doming press. Means are provided to sequentially feed the partially extruded cups to a position beneath the ram members and above the ironing orifices. As the turret rotates through a portion of its cycle, each punch member moves downwardly forcing 'the partially extruded cup through the ironing orifices and against the doming press, forming the cup to its final desired can configuration. During the final portion of the cycle, the punches are moved upwardly and are positioned to receive another cup, and simultaneously the finally formed can is moved from its position beneath the ironing orifice.

By thus ironing and doming the can bodies in one continuous operation, the handling and transfer mechanism required by prior art forming apparatus are eliminated. This reduces the possibility of damage to the exterior surface of the can and consequently results in cans having a superior appearance and quality. Further, the sequential performance of both the ironing and doming steps by a single machine makes it easier to hold the desired wall thickness tolerances.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a single machine which is capable of ironing and doming the partially extruded cup or cup-like members in one continuous operation to produce a can having the desired final configuration.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a machine which forms aluminum cans having an extremely smooth side wall.

An additional object of the present invention is the provision of a machine which is capable of forming extruded aluminum cans having extremely close tolerances.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of an ironing and doming machine which is capable of producing aluminum can bodies at a very high rate.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description used to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention as read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the rotary ironing and doming press of the subject invention;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view showing the rotary ironing and doming press of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view showing the drive and can feeding mechanism and taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 3 and showing the relationship between the feeding mechanism and one of the press rams;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing the press ram in its lower position and its relationship to the ironing and stripping rings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention and not for the purpose of limiting same, FIGURE 2 shows the overall arrangement of the ironing and doming press A comprising ram and ironing and doming assembly B, feed and discharge assembly C, and drive assembly D.

In general, the outer housing for the machine comprises a cylindrically shaped metal frame 10 closed at its upper end by a circular plate 11. Positioned around the lower portion of the machine is a housing 12. This housing comprises a vertically extending end plate 14 and a vertically positioned curved plate 16 best shown in FIG- U-RE 3. Openings 17 and 18 are provided to give access to the mechanism in the lower portion of the machine.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, the support and ram actuating mechanism for the device will be described. The main'support for the device comprises a vertically positioned shaft 52 which is supported by a generally circular base member 48 formed integrally therewith. Fixedly connected at the upper and lower portions of shaft 52 are a pair of outwardly extending frame members 54 and 55. These frame members are tied together by tie bolts 56 which extend through the outer periphery of members 54 and and are connected thereto by nuts 58. As can be seen from FIGURE 1, there are three of these tie bolts extending vertically through the machine. These bolts serve to stiffen main shaft 52 to assist it in withstanding the bending moments imposed on it during the ironing and doming operation.

Rotatably mounted on shaft 52 intermediate the two frame members 54 and 55 is a rotary turret member of generally drum shaped configuration which carries the reciprocating ram members. This member is mounted for free rotation relative shaft 52 by bearings 72 and 74. Upper bearing 72 is retained in its proper location by retainingring 73 held to the turret member by screws 71. Lower bearing 74 is a thrust bearing having a seal ring 76 around the lower end thereof and connected by screws 78 to rotating turret member 70.

Extending radially outwardly in equally spaced locations about turret member 70 are eight ram guide arms 82. A recess 80 is formed on both sides of the outwardly extending end of each of these guide arms 82. A reciprocating ram carrier 84 is carried between each of the adjacent guide arms 82 and is mounted for reciprocation in recesses 80. Ram carriers 84 are retained in these recesses by plates 86 which overlap the side edges of the ram carriers a short distance. These plates are fastened to the outer ends of the arms by a plurality of screws 88. As can be seen, ram carriers 84 are free to reciprocate up and down relative the rotary turret member 70 but are guided relative thereto. Although eight rams are shown in the preferred embodiment, it is apparent that substantially any number could be provided.

Means are provided to reciprocate ram carriers 84 at the proper time during the rotation of the turret member 70. In the preferred embodiment these means comprise a drum cam 60 which is fixed to shaft 52 and extends circumferentially thereabout; however, it is apparent that other types of cam or driving arrangements could equally well be used. Connected to the upper portion of each of the ram carriers 84 are cam followers 90 and 96. These followers comprise rollers connected to the ram carriers'by bolts 92 and 98 and nuts 94 and 100, respectively. Carried at the lower end of each of the ram carriers84 is a ram 108. This ram is connected by a set screw 106 to support member 102 which is in turn bolted to the under surface of ram carriers 84 by bolts 104.

The outer surface of the ram is of a size and shape to conform to the inner surface of the desired finished can. An opening 105 extends centrally of the ram and is communicated with the atmosphere. This permits air to escape from between the ram and the cup-shaped can blank during the ironing operation.

Positioned immediately below each ram carrier 84, and indicated generally by the numeral 112, is an ironing and stripping ring, and doming press assembly. As best shown in FIGURE 7, each of these assemblies comprises an annular ring support member 114 carried in openings 117 formed in radially extending arm of rotary drum member 70. Arm 115 is integrally cast in turret 70 and extends circumferentially therearound. Each support member 114 is connected to the arm 115 by a plurality of screws 116. Carried in an annular recess formed in the upper surface of each ring support member 114 is drawing ring 118. Formed centrally of drawing ring 118 is an extruding orifice 119. This orifice has a configuration which generally conforms with the radially facing shape of the cup-shaped can blank and can, but is of smaller size than the can blank. These ironing rings are retained in the ring support members 114 by an annular plate 122 connected thereto by screws 120. Carried in a recess formed in the lower surface of each ring support member 114 and retained there by an annular plate 126 and screws 128 is a stripping ring 124. Stripping ring 124 is formed in sections, with the sections biased inwardly by a spring 129. Thus, after the formed can body has been passed through the stripping ring, the stripping ring sections move inwardly under bias of spring 129 and prevent the can body from moving upwardly with the ram.

Means are provided to support the outer periphery of arm 115 during its rotation. These means comprise a plurality of upwardly extending supports 130 that are connected at their lower end to support arm 55 by screws 132. Mounted at the upper end of these arms and contacting the lower surface of arm 115 are a plurality of rollers 134 that are connected to the arm by nuts 136.

Positioned immediately below and axially aligned with each set of ironing and stripping rings 118 and 124 is a doming member 142. This member has an upper surface 143 which acts against the bottom of the can to dome it inwardly and give it its desired final configuration. Doming members 142 are mounted in the lower portion of rotary turret 70 by a sleeve 138 which is attached to the turret by bolts or screws 139. Extending from the bottom of each doming member 142 is a rod 146 about which is positioned a spring 147. Spring 147 is retained on the rod by a pair of nuts 148. The upper end of spring 147 bears against a collar 150 to which is connected a pair of upwardly extending rods 152 slidably carried through the lower wall of sleeve member 138 and connected to the lower edge of annular ejection ring 140. Thus, after the ram has forced the can downwardly against the doming member and has moved upwardly, ejecting ring 140, under bias of spring 147, forces the finished can body from the doming member.

Also carried on the lower portion of turret 70 are a plurality of can guiding members 160. One set of these members is positioned immediately above each pair of ironing and stripping rings, while another set is positioned immediately therebelow and above the doming assembly. The purpose of these guiding members is to provide some support for the cup or can and maintain it centered relative to the ram, the ironing and stripping rings, and the doming member. These guiding members comprise a plurality of members having semicircular recesses of a diameter slightly more than that of the can or cup. These members are connected to a plurality of supports 156 which are attached to turret member 70 by bolts 158.

Means to drive turret 70 include a gear 162 carried on the outer periphery of the lower portion of the turret. As best shown in FIGURE 4, this gear is driven through a positive drive belt 164. Belt 164 is driven by a gear 166 connected to shaft 168 which is mounted in suitable bearings and driven by a chain drive from the output shaft of the motor, reducing gear and brake assembly 170.

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view of the drive assembly and shows the mechanism used to feed the partially extruded cups to the press and discharge the finished cans therefrom. Feed 0nd discharge assembly C is driven in synchronous relationship with turret 70 from a sprocket 177 connected on the output shaft 168 of motor, reduction gearing, and brake assembly 170. As shown, sprocket 172 drives sprocket 176 of the feed and discharge assembly through a chain 173. As best seen in FIGURE 5, sprocket 176 is keyed to shaft 180 which is rotatably carried in bracket 182 supported on the end plate 14 of the machine frame or housing. At the upper end of shaft 180, a gear 184 is likewise keyed. This gear drives gear 186 which is keyed to the lower end of a shaft 188 rotatably mounted in an outwardly extending arm from bracket 182. Connected to the upper end of shaft 188 by a key is sprocket 190. Sprocket 190 drives feed and discharge star wheels 208 and 210 through a positive drive belt 192.

Feed and discharge star wheel assembly 196 is best shown in FIGURE 6. This assembly comprises a bracket 198 mounted from the end plate 14 of the machine frame by screws 200. Carried in the outwardly extending arms of the bracket 198 and sleeve bearings 202 is a shaft 204. This shaft is retained between the arms by collars 206 connected at the ends thereof. Axially spaced on the arms and keyed thereto are the upper feed star wheel 208 and the lower discharge star wheel 210. These star wheels are identical in construction and comprise an annular center collar 212 keyed to shaft 204. Connected to the center collar 212 by screws 216 is an annular ring 214. This ring carries pairs of can receiving members 218 which are connected to the top and bottom surfaces of the annular ring by screws. As best shown in FIGURE 1, each of the members 218 has a semicircular can receiving opening 222.

Means are provided to supply the cans one at a time to the semicircular can receiving openings of upper star wheel 208. These means could take a variety of forms, but in the preferred embodiment a screw conveyor 224 is used. Screw conveyor 224 comprises an elongated member having a helical groove 225 formed in the exterior thereof. This conveyor is mounted in a bracket 226 which is supported from the machine frame. A guide 228 is biased by springs (not shown) toward the screw conveyor and serves to maintain the cans coming from the intake snugly in contact with the helical groove of the screw conveyor. A curved guide member 234 coacts with the upper rotating star wheel to carry the cans to their starting position on the rotating turret.

Screw conveyor 224 is driven in timed relationship with the upper feed star wheel 208 through a drive assembly best shown in FIGURE 5. The drive assembly comprises a sprocket 236 connected by a key to the upper end of shaft 180. Sprocket 236 is drivingly connected to sprocket 238 by a chain 240. Sprocket 238 is connected to the lower end of right angle drive 244 which drives the screw conveyor 224. Thus, it can be seen that the main rotary drum assembly, the star wheel feed and discharge assembly, and the screw conveyor are all driven in timed relation from the single drive assembly D.

OPERATION The cycle of operation of the machine Will now be described. Partially extruded aluminum cups are supplied to intake duct 246 in any convenient manner. As the cans approach screw conveyor 224, they are received in the helically formed groove 225 and one at a time delivered to the can receiving recesses of upper feed star 208. Feed star wheel 208 rotates counterclockwise as seen in FIG- URE 1 and in combination with curved guide 234 delivers the cups, one at a time, to a corresponding position above an ironing ring carried on the rotary turret assem- 6 bly. As shown in FIGURE 6, the cans are delivered into the upper receiving and guiding fingers 160 at a position above the ironing ring 118 which has just been brought into cup receiving position by clockwise rotation of turret 70. As the turret 70 continues to rotate, the ram carrier 84 is forced downwardly under the action of drum cam 60. Plunger or ram 108 enters the cup-shaped aluminum extrusion 1 and continued rotation of the turret causes the ram to force the cup-shaped extrusion downwardly through the ironing ring, thinning the side walls and elongating them. Continued rotation of the drum assembly causes the plunger to continue moving downward- .ly and force the can through the stripping ring 124. The

plunger continues moving downwardly and forces the bottom of the can against doming member 142. This causes the bottom of the can to be domed upwardly and given the proper final shape. At this time, ram 108 under the influence of drum cam 60 begins moving upwardly leaving the finished can on dome member 142. Simultaneously, spring 147 pushing upwardly against ejector sleeve pushes the can away from doming member 142. At this time the rotary drum assembly has rotated the can around to the starting location at which time the finished can is received in a can receiving recess of lower discharge star wheel 210. This star wheel 210 in combination with lower discharge guide 248 shown dotted in FIGURE 1 conveys the completed can 2 to discharge duct 250.

While the sequence of operations for only a single can passing through the machine has been described, it should be realized that this same sequence of steps is taking place simultaneously at all eight ram locations. Thus, it can be seen that a machine capable of a very high rate of production has been provided.

As can be seen, by the use of the present invention the partially extruded aluminum cup is formed in one continuous operation into a substantially finished can body. By thus forming the can, the intermediate handling steps required by the prior methods are eliminated. This results in substantial savings in handling and conveying equipment. Further, the can produced has a more desirable final appearance because of the elimination of the additional handling steps.

The invention has been described in great detail sufiicient to enable one skilled in the art of forming presses to duplicate the invention. Obviously, modifications and alterations of the preferred embodiment described will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification, and it is our intention to include all such modifications and alterations as part of our invention insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. Apparatus for making a can having a desired radially facing shape and a closed end comprising:

a vertically extending frame;

a turret mounted on said frame for rotation about a vertical axis;

a plurality of circumferentially positioned, vertically extending rams carried by said turret, each of said rams movable vertically relative to said turret along a respective given axis;

means for forcing each of said rams in first and second directions along its respective given axis;

a plurality of extruding orifices having a peripheral shape generally corresponding to the desired radially facing shape of said can, said extruding orifices carried by said turret with at least one of said extruding orifices coaxial with each of said given axes at a location spaced from said rams when said rams have moved in said second directions;

an end shaping abutment coaxial with each of said axes and defining stops for said rams in said first directions, said abutment surfaces having a selected contour to be imparted to the closed end of said can body;

rotatable means positioned adjacent said turret and rotatable therewith for feeding cup-shaped can blanks between said orifices and their respective rams after said respective ram has been moved in said second direction; and,

simultaneously operable rotatable means for discharging the finished cans from said apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including a stripping ring coaxial with each said axis and positioned between said extruding orifice and said abutment surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the means for tforcing said rams in said first and second directions includes cam means.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 provided with means for continuously rotating said turret, and wherein said feeding means feeds cup-shaped can blanks to said turret while said turret is rotating.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said feeding means and said discharging means are mounted for rotation on a common axis.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said feeding means and said discharging means are mounted for rotation about an axis extending parallel to said given axis of said rams.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for discharging the finished cans from said apparatus extends inwardly of said turret subjacent said extruding orifices.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the means for discharging the finished cans from said apparatus is ro- 5 tatable simultaneously with said feed means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 3,167,044 1/1965 Henrickson 72347 3,232,260 2/1966 Siemonsen 1137 3,238,908 3/1966 Gilbert 11328 3,270,544 9/1966 Maeder et al 113-7 3,289,453 12/1966 Wyle et al 72349 15 3,312,097 4/1967 Henrickson et a1 72349 RICHARD J. HERBST, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 20 72349 

